Wire dispenser



May 14, 1968 R. E. GODSON 3,383,071

WIRE DISPENSER Filed OCT.. 22. 1965 INVENTOR.

y @po/sm BY TW fr@ United States Patent 3,333,071 WIRE DISPENSER Roy E. Godson, P.0. Box 551, Fall City, Wash.

Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,814 18 Claims. (Cl. 242-129.6)

ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE This invention is for a dispenser for use in the electrical wiring of houses and buildings.

In the electrical wiring of a house and a building, thel wire is usually dispensed by a spool. For example, number 14-2 conductor wire is placed on a spool in 1000- foot lengths. And, a number 14 single ywire conductor is placed on a spool in 150G-foot length. The unwinding of the wire in the metal conduit or in the walls is somewhat dicult and time consuming. More particularly, the unwinding of the wire from the spool is sometimes frustrating and requires considerable more time than such an operation should require. From having wired houses and buildings and having had to work with spools of wire, I have become acquainted Iwith some of the problems in the unwinding of the wire from t-he spool. With this background I have made the instant invention for the holding of a number of spools of wire so that it is relatively easy to take the wire off the spool and position the wire in a metal conduit or in the walls of a building. Accordingly, an object of this invention is the provision of a wire dispenser which makes it relatively easy to unwind the wire; a wire dispenser which saves time in unwinding the wire; a wire dispenser which saves annoyance and irritation in the unwnding of the wire; a wire dispenser which makes it possible to realize a greater output from the worker; a wire dispenser which is versatile in that the wire dispenser can be placed in a standing position on the floor or suspended; and, a Wire dispenser which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. y

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will be more particularly brought forth upon reference to the accompanying drawings, the detailed specification of the invention and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View of one form of the wire dispenser and which wire dispenser is in a standing position on the floor;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the wire dispenser standing on the floor and illustrates a Spool positioned on the wire dispenser;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational View of another form of a wire dispenser and illustrates the same as suspended from a rafter or a board; and,

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the wire dispenser suspended from a rafter or a board.

In the drawings it is seen that there is a wire dis-penser having a main support 12. The main support 12 comprises two spaced apart iirst members 14. Each first member 14 comprises a first arm 16. The first arm 16, on its upper end, connects with a crossarm 20. The crossarm connects with a downwardly directed positioning arm 22. The support arms 18 are substantially parallel as is seen in FIGURES 2 and 4. The main arms 16 diverge outice wardly upon going downwardly from the support arms 18. Also, it is seen that the support arm 18 and the positioning arm 22 are spaced apart from each other. The support a-rm 18 and the positioning arm 22 overlie each other and are substantially parallel to each other. In FIGURES l and 3 it is seen that the support arm 1-8, the crossarm 20 and the positioning arm 22 form the equivalent of a hook.

There are lateral cross braces 24 running between and connecting the two main arms 16. Also, there is a base brace 26 running between and connecting the two main arms at their lower extremity.

On the outside of the two main arms 16 there are positioned a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs d 28. These support lugs 28 are at an angle of approximately 30 degrees with respect to the main arms 16. It is seen that there are three sets of two support lugs 28 on the two main arms 1'6. Each set of support lugs 28 comprises two lugs and which lugs are aligned so as to position a shaft 30 in a substantially horizontal position on the two main arms 26'. On the shaft 30 there is a spool of wire 32.

The wire dispenser 10 also comprises a secondary support 34 which comprises two-spaced-apart second members 36. There are two lateral cross braces 38 connecting the second members 36. Also, there is a base brace 40 connecting the lower extremity of the second members 36.

On the second members 36 are positioned two sets of two lugs 42. The lugs 42 are upwardly inclined at an angle of about 30 degrees with the second members 36. These lugs 42 are so positioned that a shaft may be placed Ibetween the two lugs in a pair and a spool of wire placed on the shaft.

In the support member 1'8 or the upper end of the main arm 16, there are two passageways. Further, in the upper end of the second members 36 there are passageways. A shaft 44 may pass through these passageways in the upper end of the main arm 16 or the lower part of the supports 18 and in Ithe upper end of the second members 36 so as to unite the main support 12 and the secondary support 34. There are nuts 46 with handles 48 to be screwed on the threaded ends of the shaft 44 for tightening purposes. Also, the main support 12 and the secondary support 34 should be free to rotate around the shaft 44.

A chain 50 connects the lower ends of the main arm 16 and the second members 36 so as to prevent the main support 12 and the secondary support 34 from spreading too far apart and the wire dispenser from collapsing.

In FIGURES 1 and 2 it is seen that there are places for five spools of wire. As :previously stated, a single conductor of number 14 wire comes in a spool of 150G-foot lengths. Therefore, there are places for 7,500 feet of wire.

In FIGURES 3 and 4 there is a modification of the wire dispenser. This modification comprises the use of only the main support 12. The secondary support 34 has been disconnected, or is not being used. The main support 12 is positioned over a 2 X 4 or a,2 x 6 rafter 52. In the building of a house, such a rafter is normally in place when the wiring is being done. In the construction of a building there are usually 2 x 4s and 2 X 6s lying around, and it is possible to nail one or position one to suspend the main support 12. In this instance it is possible to position three spools of wire on the main support 12 and to have 4,500 feet of a single conductor of number 14 wire.

The shaft 30 is normally a piece of pipe, either a piece of pipe `from plumbing or a piece of thin wall conduit. Such a pipe is available at the site of the construction of a house or a building.

The arms 16, support arms 18, crossarms 20, positioning arms 22, the second members 36 as well as the cross 3 braces 24 and 38, the base braces 26 and 4G and the lugs 28 and 42 may be made of fiat stock. Flat stock is relatively inexpensive and can be readily cut to proper length and the the proper angle and can be easily welded to fabricate the complete wire dispenser.

The second members 36 also converge outwardly on going downwardly from the shaft 44.

Although the dimensions are not critical, l have made such a wire dispenser of the following dimensions. The outside measurement-of the lower end of the main arms 16 is approximately 30 inches while the inside measurement between the support arms 18 is about 131/2 inches. The fiat stock is about one (l) inch in width and about one-fourth (1A) inch in thickness. The inner distance between the support arm 1S and the positioning arm 22 should be two inches as a two-inch finished piece of lumber has a thickness of approximately 1% inches. Therefore, to assure that the support arm 18, a crossarm 20 and is positioning arm 22 fit over a 2 x 4 or a 2 x 6, it is necessary to have this inner distance at least two inches. The total length of the main support 12 is approximately 60 inches and the total length of the secondary support 34 is about 55 inches. Also, the outer measurement at the lower end of the second members 36 is about 3() inches and the inner measurement at the upper end is approximately 14 inches.

From the foregoing it is seen that I have provided a wire dispenser which may be placed on a standing position on the floor or suspended from a rafter or a board. This wire dispenser makes it possible for a worker to relatively easily unroll electrical wire from a spool of wire without placing a spool of wire on the floor. When placing a spool of wire on the oor and unrolling the wire, the spool is liable to move and to roll around on the fioor. With my wire dispenser, the spool of wire is firmly positioned, even though free to rotate on a shaft, and to dispense wire. From this it is seen that I have provided a wire dispenser which makes it possible for a worker to unravel more wire in a given period of time than by the prior conventional method of placing a spool of wire on the fioor and, therefore, to realize greater output from the Worker with the saving of both annoyance and irritation on the part of the worker over the moving of the spool of wire.

What I claim is:

1. A combination of a wire dispenser and a spool of wire, said combination comprising:

(a) a primary support and a secondary support;

(b) said primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(c) each first member comprising a first main arm;

(d) the first main arm on its upper end connecting with a support arm;

(e) said support arm on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(f) said crossarm being at substantially a right angle to the support arm;

(g) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm;

(h) said positioning arm being at substantially a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(i) said first main arms diverging outwardly from the support arms;

(j) a plurality of cross braces connecting said first main arms;

(k) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first main arms;

(l) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first main arms to position a support shaft;

(m) said secondary support comprising two spaced second main arms;

(n) a plurality of cross braces connecting said second main arms;

(o) said second main arms diverging outwardly from the upper part to the lower part;

(p) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the second main arms;

(q) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the second main arms to position a support shaft;

(r) a shaft connecting the upper part of vthe second main arms and the first members;

(s) a base connector connecting the lower part of the second main arms and the first main arms to keep the lower part of the primary support and the secondary support from spreading too far apart;

(t) a support shaft positioned on two of the aligned support lugs; and,

(u) a spool of wire on said support shaft.

2. A combination of a wire dispenser and a spool of wire, said combination comprising:

(a) a primary support and a secondary support;

(b) said primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(c) each first imember comprising a first main arm;

(d) the first main arm on its upper end connecting with a support arm;

(e) said support arm on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(f) said crossarm being at substantially a right angle to the support arm;

(g) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm;

(h) said positioning arm being at substantially a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(i) said first main arms diverging outwardly from the support arms;

(j) a plurality of cross braces connecting said first K.main arms;

(k) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first main arms;

(l) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first main arms to position a support shaft;

(m) said secondary support comprising two spaced second main arms;

(n) a plurality of cross braces connecting said second main arms;

(o) said second main arms diverging outwardly from the upper part to the lower part;

(p) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the second main arms;

(q) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the second main arms to position a support shaft;

(r) means connecting the upper part of the second main arms and the first members;

(s) means connecting the lower part of the second main arms and the first main arms to keep the lower part of the primary support and the secondary support from spreading too far apart;

(t) a support shaft positioned on two of the aligned support lugs; and,

(u) a spool of wire on said support shaft.

3. A combination of a wire dispenser and a spool of wire, said combination comprising:

(a) a primary support and a secondary support;

(b) said primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(c) said first member on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(d) said crossarm being at substantially a right angle to the first member;

(e) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm;

(f) said positioning arm lbeing at substantially a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(g) said first members diverging outwardly upon going downwardly;

(h) a plurality of cross -braces connecting said first members;

(i) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first members;

(j) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the sa-me elevation on the first members to position a support shaft;

(k) said secondary support comprising two spaced apart second members;

(l) a plurality of cross braces connecting said second members;

(m) said second members diverging outwardly upon going downwardly;

(n) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the second main arms;

(o) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the second members to position a support shaft;

(p) means connecting the upper part of the first members and the second members;

(q) means connecting the lower part of the second members and the first members to keep the lower part of the primary support and the secondary support from spreading too far apart;

(r) a support shaft positioned on two of the aligned support lugs; and,

(s) a spool vof wire on said support shaft.

4. A combination of a wire dispenser and a spool of wire, said combination comprising:

(a) a primary support and a secondary support;

(b) said primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(c) said first member on its'upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(d) said crossarm being at substantially a right angle to the rst member;

(e) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm;

(f) said positioning arm being at substantially a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(g) a plurality of cross braces connecting said first members;

(h) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first members;

(i) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aiigned and at substantially the same elevation on the first members to position a support shaft;

(j) said secondary support comprising two spaced apart second members;

(k) a plurality of cross braces connecting said second members;

(l) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the second main arms;

(rn) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned Iand at substantially the same elevation on the second members to position a support shaft;

(n) means connecting the upper part of the first members and the second members;

(o) means connecting the lower part of the second members and the first members to keep the lower part of the primary support and the secondary support from spreading too far apart;

(p) a support shaft positioned on two of the aligned support lugs; and,

("q) a spool of wire on said support shaft.

l5. A combination of a wire dispenser and a spool of wire, said combination comprising:

(a) a primary support and a secondary support;

(b) .said primary support comprising two spaced apart finst members;

(c) the first member on its upper end having a hook means for suspending the primary support;

(d) support means on the `first members for supporting a shaft;

(e) said secondary support compris-ing two spaced apiart second members;

(If) support means on the second members for supporting a shaft;

(g) means connecting the upper part of the first members and the second members;

(h) means connecting the lower part of the second members and the first members to keep the lower part of the primary support and the secondary sup port from spreading too far apart;

(i) a support shaft positioned on two of the aligned rsupport lugs; and,

(j) a spool of wire on said support shaft.

6. A combination of a wire dispenser and a spool of wire, said combination com risin (-a) a primary support comprising two spaced apart dirs't members;

(b) each first member comprising a first main arm;

(c) the first main arm on its upper end connecting with a support arm;

( d) said support arm on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(e) `said crossarm being at substantially a right angle =to the support arm;

(f) said crossarrn connecting with a positioning arm;

(g) 'said positioning arm being at substantially a right 'angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(h) said firs-t main arms diverging outwardly from the supp-ort arms;

(i) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on ythe first main arms;

(j) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first main arms to position a support shaft;

(k) -a support shaft positioned on ltwo of the aligned support lugs; and,

(l) a spool of wire on said support shaft.

7. A combination of a wire dispenser and a spo-ol of Wvre, said combination comprising:

(-a) a primary support comprising two spaced apart rfirs't members;

(b) each first member comprising a first main arm;

(c) the first main arm on its uppe-r end connecting with -a support arm;

(d) said support arm on its upper end connecting with 'a crossarm;

(e) said positioning arm being at substantially a right langle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(f) said first members diverging outwardly upon going downwardly;

(g) a plurality of cross braces connecting said first members;

(h) a plurality of upwardly incline-d support lugs on the first members;

(i) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first members to position -a support sha-ft;

(j) `a support shaft positioned on two of the aligned support lugs; and,

(k) a spool of wire on said support shaft.

8. `A combination of a wire dispenser and a spool of Wire, said combination comprising:

(a) a primary support comprising two spaced apart rfirst members;

(b) -said first member on its upper end connecting with `a crossarm;

(c) said crossarm being at substantially a right angle to the first member;

(d) said cross arm connecting with a positioning arm;

(e) `said positioning arm being at substantially a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and `spaced apart from the support arm;

(f) a plurality of cross braces connecting said first members;

(g) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first members;

(h) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first members to position a support sha-ft;

(i) a support shaft positioned on two of the aligned support lugs; and,

(j) a spool of wire on said support shaft.

9. -A combination of a wire dispenser and a spool of wire, said combination comprising:

(a) a primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(b) `the first member on its upper end having a hook means for suspending the primary support;

(c) support means on the first members for supporting a shaft;

(d) a support shaft positioned on two of the aligned support lugs; and,

(e) a spool of wire on said support shaft.

10. A wire dispenser, said wire dispenser comprising:

(a) a primary support and a secondary support;

(b) said primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(c) each first member comprising a first main arm;

(d) the first main arm on its upper end connecting with a support arm;

(e) said support arm on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(f) said crossarm being at substantially a right angle to the support arm;

(g) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm;

(h) said positioning arm being at substantially a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(i) said first main arms diverging outwardly from the support arms;

(j) a plurality of cross braces connecting said rst main arms;

(k) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first main arms;

(l) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first main arms to position a support shaft;

(m) said secondary support comprising two spaced second main arms;

(n) a plurality of cross braces connecting said second main arms;

(o) said second main arms diverging outwardly from the upper part to the lower part;

(p) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the second main arms;

(q) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the second main arms to position a support shaft;

(r) a shaft connecting the upper part of the second main arms and the first members; and

(s) a base connector connecting the lower part of the second main arms and the first main arms to keep the lower part of the primary support and the secondary support from spreading too far apart.

11. A wire dispenser, said wire dispenser comprising:

(a) a primary support and a secondary support;

(b) said primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(c) each first member comprising a first main arm;

(d) the first main arm on its upper end connecting with a support arm;

(e) said support arm on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

8 (f) said crossarm being a to the support arm; (g) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm; (h) said positioning arm being at substantially a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(i) said first main arms diverging outwardly from the Support arms;

(j) a plurality of cross braces connecting said rst main arms;

(k) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first main arms;

(l) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first main arms to position a support shaft;

(rn) said secondary support comprising two spaced second main arms;

(n) a plurality of cross braces connecting said second main arms;

(o) said second main arms diverging outwardly from the upper part to the lower part;

(p) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the second main arms;

(q) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the second main arms to position a support shaft;

(r) means connecting the upper part of the second main arms and the first members; and,

(s) means Aconnecting the lower part of the second main arms and the first main arms to keep the lower part of the primary support and the secondary support from spreading too far apart.

12. A wire dispenser, said wire dispenser comprising:

(a) a primary support and a secondary support;

(b) said primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(c) said first member on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(d) said crossarm being at substantially a right angle to the first member;

(e) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm;

(f) said positioning arm being at substantially a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(g) said first members diverging outwardly upon going downwardly;

(h) a plurality of cross braces connecting said first members;

(i) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first members;

(j) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first members to position a support shaft;

(k) said secondary support comprising two spaced apart second members;

(l) a plurality of cross braces connecting said second members;

(m) said second members diverging outwardly upon going downwardly;

(n) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the second main arms;

(o) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the second members to position a support shaft;

(p) means connecting the upper part of the first members and the second members;

(q) means connecting the lower part of the second members and the first members to keep the lower part of the primary support and the secondary support from spreading too far apart.

13. A wire dispenser, said wire `dispenser comprising:

(a) a primary support and `a secondary support;

(b) said primary support comprising two speced apart first members;

t substantially a right angle (c) said first member on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(d) said crossarm lbeing at substantially a right angle to the first member;

(e) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm;

(if) said positioning arm being at substantially a right .angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(g) Ia plurality of cross braces connecting said first members;

(h) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first members;

(i) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first members to position a support shaft;

(j) said secondary support comprising two spaced apart second members;

(k) Ia plurality of cross braces connecting said second members;

(l) a plurality of upwardly inclined support l-ugs on the second main arms;

(m) said support lugs being in pairs with t-he lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the second members to position a support shaft;

(n) means connecting the upper part of the first members land the second members; and,

(o) means connecting the lower part of the second members and the first members to keep the lower part of the primary suppo-rt and the secondary support from spreading too far apart.

14. A wire dispenser, said wire dispenser comprising:

(a) a primary support and .a secondary support;

(b) said primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(c) the first member on its upper end having a hook means for suspending the primary support;

(d) support means on the first members for supporting a shaft;

(e) said secondary support comprising two spaced apart second members;

(f) support means on the second members for supporting a Shaft,

(g) means connecting the upperpart of the first members and the second members;

(h) means connecting the lower part of the second members and the first members to keep the lower part of the primary support and the secondary support from spreading too far apart;

(i) a support shaft positioned on two of the aligned support lugs; and,

(j) a spool of wire ou said support shaft.

15. A wire dispenser, said wire dispenser comprising:

(a) a primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(b) each first member comprising Ia first main arm;

(c) the first main arm on its upper end connecting with a support arm;

(d) said support arm on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(e) said crossarm being at substantially Ia right angle to the support arm;

(f) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm;

CII

(g) said positioning larm being at substantially a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(h) said first main arms diverging outwardly from the support arms;

(i) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on lthe first main arms; and,

(j) a support shaft positioned on two of the -aligned support lugs.

16. A wire dispenser, said wire dispenser comprising:

(a) a primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(b) each first member comprising a first main arm;

(c) the first main arm on its upper end connecting with a support arm;

(d) said support arm on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(e) said positioning arm being fat substantially a right langle :to the cross-arm and substantially parallel and spaced apart from the support arm;

(-f) said first members diverging outwardly upon going downwardly;

(g) a plurality of lcross braces connecting sai-d first members;

(h) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first members; and,

(i) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs Ibeing aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first members to position a support shaft.

17. A wire dispenser, said wire dispenser comprising:

(a) a primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(b) said first member on its upper end connecting with a crossarm;

(c) said crossarm ibeing at substantially a right angle to the first member;

(d) said crossarm connecting with a positioning arm;

(e) said positioning arm being at substantially 'a right angle to the crossarm and substantially parallel and spaced 'apart from the support arm;

(f) a plurality of upwardly inclined support lugs on the first member;

(g) said support lugs being in pairs with the lugs being aligned and at substantially the same elevation on the first members to position a support shaft.

18. A Wire dispenser, said Wire dispenser comprising:

(a) a primary support comprising two spaced apart first members;

(b) the first member on its upper end having a hook means for suspending the primary support; and, (c) support means on the first members for supporting a shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 190,497y 5/ 1877 Kelly 248-214 199,631 1/1878 Felix et al. 242-1296 730,239 6/1903 Davis 242-553 956,399 4/1910 Morse 248-166 X ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

J. F. FOSS, Assistant Examiner. 

